Our Top Blog Posts of 2018. Here's What We Learned.

As 2018 comes to an end, let's revisit some of our most popular blog posts in terms of page views and social media shares. Over the past 12 months, our contributors have made you think, and, hopefully, inspired you to take action.

We are really proud of the progress we made in 2018, as Automation Alley's blog has reached almost 10,000 people this year in 102 countries.

Thanks for reading every Wednesday. See you in 2019!

1. Ensuring Workforce Readiness in the Era of Industry 4.0

Step into a corporate boardroom or onto a shop floor, and you’re likely to hear the word “teamwork” uttered by leadership. Leveraging diversity of thought and skills to find smart solutions may not be a new concept, but it has increasingly become a necessary approach for employers and employees in today’s Industry 4.0-centered world. Jack Van Tiem, Kelly Services' Detroit territory vice president, discusses this new generation of automation, information flow and data exchange in manufacturing and its major impact on job creation and elimination, business cost structures, processes and cultures.

Automation Alley's International Business Services team shares why attending the Hannover Messe industrial trade fair this spring in Germany could be a game changer for your company. Read how this massive and unique global event will help your company learn, grow, gain visibility and earn new business.

When you were a kid, did you dream of cold calling? Looking up all the information you can find on the internet and trying to build rapport with a stranger? Of course not. Alison Trumble, Automation Alley’s newest Business Development Representative, shares her tips for making the big bucks in a role she never thought she would be in – sales.

Businesses that adopt Industry 4.0 can stay ahead of the curve while increasing efficiency, streamlining processes and bolstering the bottom line, says Simon Weallans, Brightly’s vice president of sales and marketing.

5. Putting Trust in Action: A Delivery Guide to Industry 4.0 for Small to Midsize Companies

We humans are more driven when we understand the value of what we are pursuing. In order to walk through this delivery guide, it is critical to understand the value of Industry 4.0. So, let's rehash the "why" for Industry 4.0.

6. The Shift to Software: Leveraging DevOps in a Manufacturing Organization to Gain Efficiency

With the new scenarios created by the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 movements, there is a radical change happening in manufacturing: software. The software component is becoming a core part of products being manufactured and is influencing the adoption of industrialized methodologies and tools for software development. Manufacturers are integrating these methodologies into their businesses to keep up with this shift in scenarios.

“We live in a fast-paced world that expects immediate results with clear and actionable data. It’s tempting for a sales representative to look to technology as a way to help them sell more efficiently. But what are you sacrificing in the name of efficiency?” asks Kristin O’Neill, an Automation Alley business development representative. In today’s data-driven world, more and more companies are seeking out a different type of salesperson: the consultative sales rep. This week on the blog, Kristin takes us through the five basic steps in the consultative sales process.

Over the past decade, the growing popularity of social media has had an immense impact on society. Social media controls the way we view ourselves, others and the world we live in. It’s become more than a casual activity, but a way of life—and a necessary communication tool for businesses. According to 2018 statistics, there are 2.20 billion Facebook users, 330 million Twitter users, 800 million Instagram users and 250 million LinkedIn users. With all that noise, how does a business separate itself from the pack? Here are some tips to take your social media presence to the next level.

Both four-year degrees and trade schooling have their pros and cons, but student should be aware and educated of the options and opportunities associated to both, says guest blogger Brigitte Neumayr, business development manager at ICONMA. The proactive approach many schools and employers are taking to educate young adults in today’s market will hopefully prove to be successful in closing the skills gap.